"It's the final countdown!" -- Is that ringing in your head over and over??

If your calendar is full, your inbox is overflowing, and dinner has become a daily question mark — this email is your soft landing.

This week is not about culinary greatness. This week is about feeding people with warmth, not pressure.

Let’s make it easy. Let’s make it comforting. Let’s make it doable.

🍲 What to Make for Dinner This Week

(Busy-week heroes that won’t ask too much of you)

Here are four dinners that work hard for you — slow-cooker friendly, leftover-loving, and crowd-approved:

1. ​TikTok Spaghettie Bake – Homemade alfredo sauce (well, the easy way... People love to remind me this isn't homemade. This isn't alfredo sauce... and I really love how worked up people get over a recipe!)... A hearty red sauce with meat... And LOTS of cheese! Just sensational!
2. ​Sloppy Joe Sandwiches – feeds a crowd, reheats like a dream the next day. ((My favorite leftover remake: topping crispy tater tots with the sloppy joe meat and some queso!))
3. ​Grilled Chicken Sandwich Tower – Grill up some chicken. Layer up your tiered serving dish with the buns, toppings, and spreads for a chicken sammich. Let your people help themselves! ((And if you don't have a tiered serving tray, just lay it out on a half sheet pan!))
4. ​Layered Chicken Enchilada Casserole – rotisserie chicken with salsa verde, layered together... Delish! And EASY!

🧀 Appetizers for the Week’s Gatherings

(Bring one of these and call it a win)

• ​3 Ingredient Teriyaki Plum Kielbasa Bites – that can easily be used with frozen meatballs! And it can easily be plopped into a slow cooker.
• ​Easy 3-Layer Chive Onion Dip – no rules, just good dippable sense.
• ​Firecracker Dip – cozy, snackable, make ahead.

These are your “show up with confidence” options.

🤍 Hospitality Hope

This week, you don’t have to do it all — just love the people you’re with.

You are not behind. You are not late. You are not failing the holidays. You’re living them — tired feet, full heart, messy kitchen, and all.

That’s real hospitality.

If the week feels overwhelming, I hope dinner becomes your soft place to land. Even a simple meal can hold comfort. Even a rushed evening can hold connection.

With warmth for your busiest days,
​Ashley